Freshman Nikki Lindow spikes the ball during the third set against Texas A&M on Wednesday, Sept. 29, 2010. The Buffs rallied from down two sets to force a fifth and final set, but lost 15-6 to end the game. (CU Independent/Phil McMichael)
The Buffs fell 5-6 overall, 2-3 in the Big 12, after Wednesday night’s loss to the Texas A&M Aggies at the Coors Events Center in Boulder.
The match was close from the start, as neither team pulled ahead by more than two points throughout the first set. Due to a net error by the Buffs, however, the Aggies took the set 25-22.
The Aggies won the second set more decisively with a score of 25-17, hitting a .257 attack percentage and 13 kills, compared to the Buffs’ 0.32 percentage and nine kills.
In the third and fourth sets, the Buffs’ energy picked up, and it looked like they might be able to rally for a win.
With a .400 attack percentage and 14 kills, they took the third set 25-18.
Sophomore Kerra Schroeder made her 19th kill of the night to finish off the close fourth set, edging past the Aggies 25-23.
With the match tied, the Buffs went into the fifth set in a rush of momentum from their comeback. CU chipped away at an early Aggie lead of 7-4 to make it 7-6, but their energy was short-lived. A&M pulled away with an eight-point run to win the set and the match.
“The Buffs’ stagnation early in the game was caused by a “lack of focus and straying away from the game plan,” head coach Liz Kritza said in a news release.
Despite the loss, several Buffs had impressive games.
In addition to Schroeder’s 19 kills, junior Anicia Santos recorded 11 kills and junior Richi Bigelow and freshman Nikki Lindow each had seven kills.
Bigelow and Schroeder also recorded 14 and nine digs, respectively.
Junior Alyssa Valentine, this week’s Big 12 Rookie of the Week, led the team in attack percentage with a .375.
CU also out-blocked the Aggies 12.5-11.0, thanks to senior Rosie Steinhaus’ one solo and five block assists and Lindow’s six block assists.
The Buffs take on Missouri this Saturday at 5:30 p.m. in Columbia, Mo. The Missouri Tigers are currently 2-3 in Big 12 play and 10-5 overall on the season.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Caryn Maconi at Caryn.maconi@colorado.edu.
